While I appreciate all convenience improvements in the interior of the 3, I still prefer the Model S over the 3. Granted I'm comparing a P100D against a RWD 3, but if I had choice between the two I would always pick the Model S. When I sit in the 3 I think, this is nice. When I sit in the S, I just sink into the seat and sigh a gratifying "ahhhh yes".
Beyond the performance aspects of my S vs my 3 (I know it's not fair, no comparison), here are a few of the issues I have with the 3:
- The rear view out of the car is just awful. It might be something one can get used to, but your FOV out the back of the car is very limited. Any car following relatively closely and all you can see are the occupants heads. The car disappears. It's bad enough that I keep trying to think of ways to remount the rear view mirror higher, so the viewing angle beyond the back is lower and closer to the car.
- The seats. The Model S front seats are just more comfortable for me. Larger, wider, and better bolstering.
- I really miss the power trunk on the 3. The power liftgate on the Model S is wonderful.
- Key fob. Seriously, this phone/card thing is really a pain. I know it will hopefully get better with software patches, but I've been stuck outside of the Model 3 several times, when I forget my wallet in the car (with the card), and my phone isn't connecting or working with the door locks. I would pay good money for a key fob on the Model 3.
- Door handles. A bit of a regression here. The Model S has auto present handles, simple to use, and no brainer when extended on how to open the door. Then the Model X went to auto opening doors, where you don't even need to touch the door to open it. Then the Model 3 decided to go with a physical dexterity test to open the doors. Not an improvement.
- Environment feel; for me, the Model 3 is much louder inside than the Model S. Could be tires, of course, Could be air suspension. When I'm in the 3, I feel like I'm in an nice EV car. When I'm in the S, I feel like I'm on a magic carpet ride
- I still prefer the binnacle and larger center panel of the S. Having the Nav and the Music displayed simultaneously is hard to give up when going to the 3, with the smaller shared display space.
In the end the 3 is an awesome car, no doubt, but it's really not in the same class as the Model S, nor should it be (since that's the way it's positioned by Tesla). Ok, just typing this up makes me want to go drive around the block in my S again. It's so Zen.